A Dime A Dozen Novels & Stories

Maraming bayarin at mas tataas pa ang presyo ng mga bilihin dahil malapit na ang pasko. “Malapit na ang pasko. Sure na maraming raket ito.” Sumubo ako ng skyflakes. Napayakap pa ako sa sarili ko dahil sa sobrang lamig. Nakalimutan kong magdala ng jacket. Ay! Hindi ko rin naman madadala ang jacket ko. Sira na pala ‘yon at hindi na magagamit pa. Wala pa akong pambili ng ganoong damit. Huminga ako ng malalim bago ngumiti. “Kaunting tiis na lang, Seraphim. Makakaraos ka rin.”

The air carried the aroma of scrumptious treats, and the clinking of glasses set the rhythm for a night of cheers and celebration. The climax of anticipation was nigh, like the buildup to the chorus in a chart-topper. The countdown commenced, akin to the start of a pulsating bassline. And then, like a drop that sets the crowd on fire, the colored powder burst forth. It was an explosion of emotion, a multisensory show that encapsulated the essence of this pivotal instant.

I smiled bitterly. Twelve days, Kien. You have twelve days to fall in love with me. A week and five days. Give me twelve days to be happy with you. And after that, I will start to move on. I will start a new life without you and I will accept the fact that you can't and will never love me back. Just twelve days.